Post #4076590
2026-07-24 12:19 UTC
@johncarlosbaez@mathstodon.xyz @RGBes@mastodon.social
We need collective solutions to solve systemic problems. Individual ethical choices are libertarian solution.
Astronomers and particle physicists already know how to share expensive instruments, develop complex tools. Maybe that model will be used by mathematicians in the future. There will be organization not unlike CERN that develops open models and software for personal use locally, and makes collective deals for cheap compute they buy bulk from neoclouds not bound to any megacorp. For bigger needs you gang up with like-minded mathematicians and prepare a proposal for massive compute time.
Replies (1)
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@johncarlosbaez@mathstodon.xyz 2026-07-24 12:33
@maxpool@mathstodon.xyz - I'm very glad math isn't like that now; like many mathematicians I'm into it because I don't enjoy working with large teams and I'm no good at it - instead, I like pondering things on my own, or with a friend, and coming up with complicated ideas that go against the conventional wisdom. So if math becomes an endeavor for large teams - and it may - some people who who used to become mathematicians may do something else. Or maybe there will still be a niche for eccentric loner mathematicians. It's not a complete accident that the only person who has won a Millennium prize so far turned down the $1,000,000 and lives in seclusion in St. Petersburg.